Ignition-controlling means foe



C. A. JOHNSON.

iGNIT ION'CONTROLLING MEANS FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC: 11, 1919.

, 1 437 9 I Patnted Dec. 5, 1922.

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Patented Dec; 5, 192 2.

UNITEDI STA CHARLES A. JOHNSON, OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON. v

'IGNITIon-conrnomme iannnsron AUTOMOBILES.

Application filed December 17, 1919. Serial Noi 345,634.

Be it known that I, CHAnLns A. JonNsoN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Tacoma, c ountyof Pierce, and

State of Washington, have invented certainv new and useful Improvements in lgnition- I Controlling Means for Automobiles, of

which the following is a specification.

- My invention relates to an ignition con-' trolling means for automobiles, and particularly relatesyto devices which control the ignition circuit for an auto-mobile and which control atthe same time" a warning signal.

The object of my invention is to provide a controlling means for automobile ignition acircuits -which will control also. a warning signal which w1ll be sounded 1f the car is moved by an unauthorized person. I

Another object of my invention is to pro. vide a switch for the ignitioncircuit of-an automobile which 'may be controlled by means of a lock and whichwill control also and automatically set a warning signal when the ignition circuit is broken.

Another object of my invention is to provide a warning signal wh ch will sound it the car is tampered with by an unauthorized person as soon as the wheels of the car are straightened to steer the caryin a straight line. i f

My invention comprises the novel parts and combinations of parts whichare shown in the accompanying drawings,'described in the specification, and defined by the claim terminating the same.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown my inventionv in the form which is now preferred byme.

Fig. 1 is a view of my device mounted upon the dash of an automobile, parts being shown in section and a part of the electric circuit being diagrammatically shown.

Fig. 2 is anelevation ofthe lock controlled switch which forms a part of my device.

Fig. 3 is a section through the lock controlled switch, parts being shown in a-position different from that shown in Figure 2.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the elec-- trical connections in my device. p

When an automobile is left 'standingfor any time at the curb, the front wheels are generally turned until the inner one of them contacts with the curbing. 1 This locks the car against movement in one direction until the'wheelsare again straightened, and it is without straightening the wheels. By my invention, when the wheels are straightened a clrcuit which includes a special warning signal is closed and the signal is sounded to call the attention of the owner of the car or of passers-byto the factthat the car is being moved by some one unauthorized to move it. y, p In eflect there are two circuits in my device, one ofthese, as indicated on Figure 4 by 1, may be called the ignitioncircuit, It includesa suitable source of electric current, as thebat-tery 11, a spark plug 12 and a {ground connection as shown "at 13; it also -1ncludes a swltch 14= to be later described,

and may include a manually operable switch 15 if this is desired. The 'second circuit 2 includes the same or a difierentjsource of current as 11, though this source should be a battery which is availablewhile the engine is still. The circuitf2also-includes a warn .ing signal or horn21, and a switch connected to the steering column of the automobile,

and also aswitchmember 2a which is connected to theswitch member 25, aswill be later described. The'warning signal 211 prefer to place in an inaccessible place upon the automobile, and to use it only in connection with my device.

Upon the steering column of the automobile I fasten a contact point 22 which is securedto'move with the steering" column and which isincluded in the circuit 2. The other, terminal23 of ,theswitch is fixed to any suitable portion of the automobile frame or body. It is also included in the circuit 2 and is positioned in such a manner that the terminal 22 will contactwith it when type of lock is illustrated in Figure wherein 4 designates a combination controlled, rotatable disk provided in its edge with a notch '5. Tumblers 6 and 7 are pivotally supported at opposite sides of the disk on pins Sand these are respectively connected by resilient means, as at 9 and 10, with the arms .14 and 24c, to effect movement of the latter ment of a projecting member 18 thereon into the disk notclrwhich causes the arm 14 to engage the contact point 15 and the arm 24 to be disengaged from the point 25. .Also, when the tumblerfi is raised from the disks by certain adjustment of the combination of the lock, the arm 14s and point 15 will be disconnected and the arm 24 and point 25 connected.

It is intended thatthe combination lock and the various switches shall be enclosed within steel boxes provided with suitable locks which only authorized persons may open, and that all the circuit wires leading from theseswitch boxes to the source of electricity shall be extended through steel tub-- ing, so that no one can tamper with or in any way interrupt the circuits. 4 i

7 It will be seen from the above description and from an inspection of Figure 1 that when, the ignition circuit is closed the warning signal circuit 2 will be broken by the separation of the points 2i and 25. When the ignition circuit 1 is broken by the separation of the points 1 1- and '15, the points 24 and 25 will be in contact and the warning signal circuit 2 will be closed, with the exception of the terminals 22 and The automobilist, after driving along side of the curb and setting his front wheels against the curb, shuts off his i nition by manipulation of the mechanism 4. This automatically sets the warning signal 21 as above de scribed. If an attempt is made to straighten the wheels before the contact between points 24 and 25 is broken the circuit 2 will be closed by contact between the points 22 and out operating the combination,

23 and the signal will immediately sound to give the warning. If the ignition switch 14, 15, and the warning signal switch 2 1-, 25 are both controlled by the combination lock mechanism 4:, the car cannot be started withand the wieels cannot be straightened to push the car away without sounding the signal 21.

I may include the switch 15 in the ignition circuit in order that the ignition may be quickly shut off and the car left at a stand still, if it is not desired'to use the warning signal, by opening the switch 15. The ignition can be shut off without separating the points 14 and 15 and without closing the warning signal circuit through the points and It is immaterial whether the circuit 1 ncludes the spark plug 12 director whether it is connected to the spark plug through a transformer or coil. The circuit 1 represents adcircuit through which electrical energy is supplied to thespark plug to i nite the explosive charge in the engine.

\Vhat i claim as my invention is:

in a two circuit control lock, a pair of fixed contacts, a pair of switch arms movable into and from circuit closing relation with said contacts, a lock mechanism comprising a rotatable disk having a peripheral notch, a tumbler connected with each of the switch 2ll'I11S,,O1 l6"O1 said tumblers being supported by the other toeii'ect connection of its switch arm and a contact, an extension on the supportingtumbler normally engaging the periphery of. the disk and adapted to seat within the notch thereof upon rotation of the dislrto effect connection of its switch arm with the other contact point and disconnection of the other arm and contact, and means for effecting circuit connections with the contacts and switch arms for the purpose set forth.

Signed at Tacoma, ll ashington, this 28th day of November, 1919.

CHARLES A. JOHNSON. 

